Maple Brown Sugar Candied Bacon
Candied Bacon is a mouthwatering and decadent delight that blends bacon’s salty, smoky taste with the sweet, caramelized richness of maple syrup and brown sugar.
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It’s ideal for breakfast or brunch, as a snack, or as a topping for salads, sandwiches, and even desserts. This sweet-and-salty indulgence is simple to prepare at home and is bound to be a favorite with bacon fans everywhere.
What is candied bacon?
Candied bacon is just what it sounds like: bacon coated in a blend of maple syrup and brown sugar, then baked until crisp and caramelized.
The outcome is a flavorful, highly addictive snack that makes a wonderful addition to a breakfast or brunch spread, as a snack or appetizer, or as a topping to bring extra flavor and texture to salads, sandwiches, and desserts.
This sweet-salty treat is also known as Pig Candy, Millionaire’s Bacon, Million Dollar Bacon, or simply Candy Bacon. Whatever name you use, you’ll find it hard to resist.
Ingredients you need
For the full ingredient list with measurements and step-by-step prep and cooking directions, please refer to the recipe card at the end of this post.
This simple candied bacon uses only a handful of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make Maple Brown Sugar Candied Bacon at home:
- Nonstick cooking spray: This helps keep the caramelized sugar mixture from adhering to the pan.
- Bacon: I prefer thick-cut smoked bacon strips. Smoked candied bacon has even more flavor than unsmoked. If smoked foods aren’t your thing, though, this recipe is just as tasty with unsmoked bacon.
- Maple syrup: Be sure to use pure maple syrup. Any grade works here.
- Brown sugar: Either light or dark brown sugar can be used in this candied bacon recipe.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground pepper gives the best flavor. Set your peppermill to a coarse grind for optimal results.
How to make candied bacon
This recipe is incredibly easy to make. Here’s how to make this simple candied bacon recipe:
- Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Arrange the bacon on the baking sheet in a single layer.
- Mix the syrup, brown sugar, and pepper together.
- Brush the maple brown sugar mixture evenly onto both sides of the bacon slices (be sure to coat the edges as well!)
- Bake until the bacon turns crisp and the sugar mixture caramelizes.
- When the bacon is finished, take it out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. If you’d like, you can move it to a wire rack.
- Serve right away or cut it into bite-size pieces to use as a topping.
How to serve it
Candied bacon is best served warm, and it makes a fantastic addition to any breakfast or brunch spread. Pair it with Japanese Souffle Pancakes, Air Fryer Breakfast Tarts, or Hashbrown Casserole.
Chop it up and scatter it over salads such as Kale Salad with Miso Dressing, Green Bean Salad, or Beet Salad with Harissa Dressing. You can also try it with deviled eggs.
It also works well as a sandwich topping. Put it on an Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich or include it in your favorite grilled cheese sandwich (with some Pickled Jalapenos too, yum!).
It even serves as a luxurious topping for desserts like Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas, Air Fryer S’mores, or Pumpkin Ice Cream, or S’mores Ice Cream.
Maple and Brown Sugar Candied Bacon
Robin Donovan
Candied bacon is a mouthwatering and decadent recipe that blends the salty, smoky flavor of bacon with the sweet, caramelized richness of maple syrup and brown sugar. Serve it for breakfast or brunch, as a snack, or as a topping for salads, sandwiches, and even desserts.
(keep your display awake)
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Heat the oven to 400°F.
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Cover a baking tray with parchment or foil, then coat it with nonstick cooking spray.
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Set the bacon strips on the ready baking sheet in one layer, with a little room between each piece.
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In a small bowl, combine the syrup, brown sugar, and several twists of black pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
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Spread the syrup-sugar blend over the bacon, making sure the top and edges are well coated. Turn the bacon over and brush on more mixture to cover the second side.
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Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the bacon turns crisp and the maple-syrup-and-sugar blend is caramelized.
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Take the pan out of the oven and allow the bacon to rest for a few minutes. Use tongs to move the candied bacon to a cooling rack or serving plate.
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Notes
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You can also add other spices to vary the flavor here. For example, cayenne pepper, ground chipotle pepper, ground cinnamon, or chili powder work well if you enjoy spicy candied bacon.
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Watch the bacon closely while it bakes, since the sugar may burn quickly.
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Candied bacon can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
- You can also add other spices to vary the flavor here. For example, cayenne pepper, ground chipotle pepper, ground cinnamon, or chili powder work well if you enjoy spicy candied bacon.
- Watch the bacon closely while it bakes, since the sugar may burn quickly.
- Candied bacon can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
Calories: 314kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 7gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 379mgPotassium: 166mgSugar: 18gVitamin A: 21IUCalcium: 30mgIron: 0.3mg
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